In the days leading up to Tulane's Aug. 29 season opener vs. Jackson State in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune is running a position analysis series breaking down each group on the team. Today we look at safeties.

Safety is arguably the thinnest position on this Tulane team, with only four players on the roster listed at the position, and a junior squad player Anthony Bronzo. So at Conference USA Media Day in July, coach Curtis Johnson said he wouldn't rule out switching a cornerback to safety.

Last year's starters were Kyle Davis and Shakiel Smith. Davis is switching to linebacker this season and Smith graduated, and Renaldo Thomas left the team in July, so now sophomore Darion Monroe is the no-brainer to start at free safety.

Monroe had a breakout true freshman season with 10 starts at free safety and two at cornerback, earning honorable mention Freshman All-American and Conference USA All-Freshman team honors. He led the Green Wave with 96 tackles (60 solo) and three

Johnson said the defense would have to experiment with possible moves at safety.

“I really love (returning starter Darion) Monroe -- I think we all do," Johnson said at media day. "We have some awfully talented guys. We got this little guy from Florida who is a cornerback (William Townsend). He doesn’t know he’s about to go from corner to safety. I like the athleticism of the safeties, but they are young.”

Junior Sam Scofield started two games last season, one each at free safety and strong safety, and played in 10 games total. Brandon LeBeau began his Tulane career in 2011 as a wide receiver, then saw action in all 12 games as a sophomore at safety in 2012.

"They put (Scofield and me) in there with the younger guys a lot to teach them what we know," Monroe said. "Coach (Johnson) said I can’t get tired; that’s the thing we worked on this summer – getting quicker and faster."

Richard Carthon doubles as a Tulane baseball player, participating in both sports as a true freshman. He played primarily special teams on the gridiron, ranking second on the team in kickoff returns (nine) and kick return yards (183) with six tackles.

Outlook

Staying healthy will be huge for the safeties because there's not as much depth compared to other defensive positions, such as the defensive line. Their youth is similar to that of the cornerbacks in the secondary, but youth doesn't equate to less production, Monroe and sophomore cornerback Lorenzo Doss agree.

“(Monroe) is a great player to play with," Doss said. "He’s smart. I know I can always go to (Monroe) and ask him what he wants me to play to help make a difference on the defense."

Monroe is ready to be a leader among the safeties. He didn't have any interceptions last season, so he said his main goal this season is to force more turnovers.

"Our team goal is to win a bowl game this year. My goals are to get more picks and be more of a turnover machine," Monroe said. "We harp on that at practice - get the ball, strip the ball out ... The more chances our offense has, the more chances they can score.

"Everybody knows the defense now, how each one of is gonna play ... We plan on being the No. 1 secondary in the conference this year and top 10 in the nation hopefully."